When "free market" doesn't equal "free"

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One of the reasons I cover Glenn Beck and his ilk so much is that I'm disgusted by the way that they characterize anyone who doesn't share their market fundamentalism as communists or fascists intent upon reducing human freedom. It is truly Orwellian watching Beck describe progressivism as totalitarian and the source of human slavery because it takes away the "freedom" to be a wage slave or be worked literally to death.

Here's the David Sirota piece that inspired that segment

Check out this report from Inside U.S. Trade (no link- subscription required) - it's straight from the I Shit You Not File:

Business groups are worried by the potential effects of provisions banning the import of all goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or forced or indentured child labor that were included in a customs bill sponsored by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA)...

These groups are examining the ramifications of the bill's provisions, especially in light of the bill's requirements that a newly created office in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) annually report to Congress on the volume and value of goods made with child labor, forced labor or convict labor that have been stopped at the border.

Business sources say this reporting requirement could cause DHS to more actively seek out imported products made with child labor, forced labor or convict labor...

One source did expect a push from lobbyists closer to the Finance Committee markup of the bill, and speculated that U.S. industry groups and foreign governments could form ad hoc coalitions to help send a united message.